Page 206 of Scatter the Bones

“Was this your doing?” she asks.

No, he would’ve done it weeks and weeks ago if I’d had my way.

I shake my head. “No.”

She pulls back, eyes narrowing slightly. “You sure? You’re probably one of the only people he listens to about this kinda stuff.”

A shaky laugh slips out of me. “Yes, but it takes him a while to realize I’m right.”

She chuckles.

“All right.” Jigsaw tucks his phone away in his pocket. “He’s heading home now. Let’s go.”

Jezzie hurries ahead of us, out the door and into the parking lot.

“I guess she’s eager to see him,” I whisper.

He stops me with a hand on my shoulder. “Thank you. You sure you don’t mind coming with us? I shouldn’t?—”

“I want to finally meet him.” I lean up on tiptoes. “My future brother-in-law and all.”

His eyes widen like he hadn’t thought of it. Cain doesn’t quite fit into those pockets of his life yet.

He will.

I’ll help him make space.

Jezzie’squiet on the way to Cain’s.

I don’t think she’s nervous. Just thoughtful. Processing. Or maybe it’s bringing up memories she’d rather leave buried.

She’s in the back seat, staring out of the window again. Remembering more of that long drive she took across the country to start a new life?

Jigsaw reaches over and laces his fingers through mine, his grip firmer than usual. Like he needs the contact.

I’m proud of him for facing those shadowy parts of his past. For trying to protect both siblings the best way he can.

We pull into the parking lot of a boxy building. A tall, lanky guy is out front, leaning against a motorcycle that looks like it was built for speed and danger. Neon green with streaks of white and black—sleek, and flashy. Much different than Jigsaw’s bigger, heavier, darker Harley.

The guy’s arms are crossed over his chest, head bowed, the hood of his sweatshirt pulled up, covering his face.

He tips his head up as we slide into a parking space, the hood falling back, revealing his features. His hair’s darker than Jigsaw’s and he’s a bit skinnier, but the resemblance is strong.

This has to be Cain.

JIGSAW

It feels like my past has come full circle as Cain lifts his head and watches me pull into the lot. I kill the engine, the silence anything but peaceful. Margot gives my hand one last squeeze, then lets go.

I step out first. The door shuts behind me with a clean, solid thunk that cracks through the still afternoon like a warning not to wake old ghosts.

“I thought that was you.” Cain pushes away from his bike and takes a few steps closer. “Sweet ride. When’d you get that?”

“Yesterday.” I hesitate. “Actually wanted to talk to you about—” I wave it off. “Never mind. That can wait.”

He frowns, clearly confused.

The back door opens with a soft, airtight whoosh.

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